Birth, Death, Marriage: Gwen GARTRELL; Sources: SA Bigraph Dir.
Dodgson Family History:'Their roots went deep'.

James probably arrived onthe Forfarshire, arriving Port Adelaide 2 Aug 1848. Two years later he joined the 1851 Ballarat gold rush, but was unsuccessful. He marriedJanet in 1852 at her parents home, and then decided to try his luck as a pastoralist, taking up a 14 year pastoral lease in the Murray scrub east of Mt Rufus. The venture failed because he lacked financial resources and experience. The lease was surrendered in 1867. From 1855 he gradually acquired 560 acres of land at Coghills Creek (near Saddleworth), and built a solid stone house called 'Hopefields'. In the following years, various other members of the family came to live on the property, largely supported by James. James was farewelled from Saddleworth in 1878, highlighting his establishment of the local Institute and his years as JP, as well as his integrity. Moving to Wirrabara he again threw himself into community work, and in 188 was elected the first chairman of the District Council of Port Germain. He died in 1899. 'Four Milnes of Forfar' : Jack CROSS.